University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Band 4 Specialist Pharmacy Assistant - Stores and Distribution
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Job Summary
Are you an experienced pharmacy assistant looking for your next step? We're looking for a proactive, organised Specialist Pharmacy Assistant to join our Stores and Distribution Services team, coordinating the flow of medicines through stores, distribution and pre-packing to keep wards and patients safely supplied every day.
This is a hands-on, responsible role at the heart of our pharmacy service. You'll manage stock and emergency supplies, dispense controlled and high-cost drugs, liaise with procurement, portering and transport, and help train and develop junior colleagues.
Why join us?
- Genuine development -- support to complete recognised competencies such as the West Midlands Dispensing Accuracy Assessment and Accuracy Checking for Dispensing Assistants.
- Real responsibility -- training new starters and shaping service improvements.
- Scale and stability -- join one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, within a close-knit, supportive team.
- Values-led culture -- Kind, Connected and Bold.
If you want a role where your accuracy keeps patients safe and there's a clear path to develop, we'd love to hear from you.
Main Duties, Tasks & Skills Required
What You'll Do
Day to day, you'll coordinate stock and workflow through Stores and Distribution -- receiving and storing inventory, topping up ward stock, and carrying out daily stock checks including fridge temperatures. You'll accurately dispense and supply medicines (including controlled and high-cost drugs) for inpatients, discharge and outpatients, handle private prescriptions and cash transactions, and ensure outstanding orders are followed up promptly.
You'll liaise daily with wards, procurement, portering and transport to resolve queries and keep supply moving safely and efficiently. You'll also support the induction and training of new team members, contribute to SOPs and service improvements, and maintain accurate records in line with Trust policy.
What We're Looking For
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent), plus a National Level 3 qualification (e.g. ILM Level 3 or similar), or equivalent experience
- Recent hospital pharmacy experience
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure
- Excellent communication skills with patients, staff and suppliers
- Good IT skills (Microsoft Office and pharmacy systems)
- Ability to prioritise, use initiative, and support/train others
- Flexibility for late-night, weekend and bank holiday rotas
- Able to lift moderate weights (up to 15kg)
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About Us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job Description
Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures acquired through training, NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills/Support Staff or equivalent.
- Have National Level 3 qualification (e.g. ILM Level 3 or similar) or hold equivalent experience.
- Have or are working towards evidence of working accurately, such as the West Midlands Dispensing Accuracy Assessment or equivalent.
- Have or are working towards a Controlled Drug dispensing competency.
Experience
Essential
- Previous recent experience working in hospital pharmacy
- Experience in dealing with patients, healthcare professionals at all levels, the general public and challenging situations
- Understanding of Health and Safety at Work, manual handling and COSHH
- Understanding of dispensing, stock control and supply systems and processes
- Knowledge of stock control systems
- Knowledge of code of practice/customer care
- Understands the need for delivering a cost effective service and the required work practices to reduce waste
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Desirable
- Experience of managing and leading a team
- Experience in staff training
- Working Knowledge of JAC/CMM pharmacy system
- Knowledge of drugs, side effects & where to find further information
- Understanding of pharmacy related computer systems
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Excellent team player and ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to manage, supervise, train and motivate others
- Excellent IT skills covering a range of systems such as Microsoft Office, Excel, and pharmacy related systems such as JAC/CMM, Omnicell and PTS
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to a range of people
- Ability to manage own work and prioritise effectively
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to work safely and accurately under pressure
- Ability to make decisions in the best interest of the service
- Ability to reflect on own practice and learn from experience
- Ability to identify customer needs and deliver services to the required level
- Ability to work to set procedures and relevant guidance
- Ability to recognise professional and personal limitations referring to appropriate person when necessary
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information
- Ability to prioritise and organise daily tasks using own initiative
- Flexible to work in accordance with service needs
- Able to lift moderate weights (up to 15kg)
- Committed to abide by the Trust Vision and Values
- Participation in the late night and weekend working on a rota basis
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
For Help With Your Application, Contact
Nicola Holdsworth
01214247421
Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£28392.00 to £31157.00 Yearly
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-Time, Flexible Working
Reference number
304-9018120
Job locations
Good Hope Hospital
Rectory Rd
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B75 7RR
Attachments
- Job Description
- JD PS.pdf – 426KB Opens in a new window
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